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New Hellbent vs Old

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DannyKid
Posts: 67 - Karma: 55
What is up!

I've had the original Hellbents for a few years now and love them. However due to a long story not worth going into now, I may or may not need to replace them this season. My question to you my good people is who here has skied both new and old models and how do the new ones match up in terms of fun factor, playfulness, general ease of messing around on.

For me, the old ones are perfect, love the flex, the width, the whole shebang.

Opinions are welcome, although I really want to hear from those who have skied both enough to give a solid comparison.

+K
Sep 30 2012 6:12PM
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*Nefarious*
Posts: 1072 - Karma: 4,208
I ski'd the originals and loved them as well, never thought they could get any better. But when they introduced the new design a couple season ago, it changed my life. Best skis I've ever ridden. They are a little stiffer, but that's not saying much, they are still super soft and playful, great for butters and that playful pow float. They are also a little wider, which makes them a little more stable and even better in the super deep pow.

Bottom line, you will still love the new bents, probably more than the old ones. Best ski for all over the mountain in any conditions. but that's just my opinion.


Sep 30 2012 6:21PM
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TheWakes.
Posts: 685 - Karma: 235
the new hellbent is wider. definitely good. u might also check out the pettitor. its similar in size to the old hellbent but has camber underfoot. super chargy and stable.
Sep 30 2012 8:30PM
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DannyKid
Posts: 67 - Karma: 55
Thanks so far,

My main fear is the new size may have made them less responsive and more of a handful when going at slower speed through trees etc. Especially for someone as light as me.

No doubt the added width helps with float, but when you only weigh 140 it's not hard to stay on top of the snow anyway. I'm like Legolas.
Oct 1 2012 3:12PM
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-ShredTheGnar-
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 111
The petitor, super chargy and stable? in the same sentence?

you tripping.

Oct 1 2012 4:26PM
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XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 246
how bout for park? the old bents were like the funnest thing ever in the park. could still get kinda techy and land big jumps, but made everything so buttery. the more width, weight, and stiffness i dont mind too much, but the camber underfoot is what im most concerned about, ive skiied 4 skis now that have camber and rocker tip and tail and ive never liked it, completely ruined the surfey feel for me.
Oct 1 2012 6:47PM
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Kreech
Posts: 4178 - Karma: 3,024
The new hellbents have 1 mm of camber; they're essentially flat. The 'added camber' is essentially just k2 marketing that the ski will be more poppy/versatile
Oct 1 2012 7:03PM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868

The new ones ski better in pretty much every way. They are slightly heavier I guess which makes them ever so slightly harder to spin but if you're on Hellbents you're probably not future spinning anyway.

Bonus - the topsheets don't chip like crazy like the old ones did.

Oct 1 2012 7:36PM
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TheWakes.
Posts: 685 - Karma: 235
i am 5'9" 140 and i rode the 179. it was very stiff underfoot. the tip and tail were softer, so it wasn't impossible to push on. but yes. it is.
Oct 2 2012 11:22AM
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